USJLP Conferences

Annual conferences are the heart of the US-Japan Leadership Program. It is here that young leaders from each country come together to engage in stimulating dicussions on critical questions of the day, develop unique opportunities for collaboration, and form bonds of life-long friendships.

Each year USJLP accepts new applicants to serve as Delegates to the next two upcoming conferences. Conferences are held for one full week each summer - typically in Kyoto and Tokyo in odd years, and in Seattle in even years. During their week together Delegates participate daily in plenary discussions on a wide range of topics relevant to both countries and the world, and are also exposed to a variety of experiential learning opportunities. Delegates are expected to be fully engaged in activites from early morning to late evening. Additional details about participation in USJLP conferences are outlined in our conference guidelines for Delegates.

Delegates to the 2017-2018 Conferences

American and Japanese Delegates who will attend Japan 2017 as their first conference must be between the ages of 28 and 42 on July 23, 2017, and must have demonstrated leadership, achievement, or the potential for leadership in their respective fields. Consideration will be given to men and women from a broad spectrum of careers. These Delegates are expected to continue on and attend their second conference in 2018, scheduled to be held in Seattle from July 28 – August 4, 2018. Delegates who must defer their second year in 2018 will be given due consideration for participation in a future (i.e. 2020 or later) Seattle conference, space permitting.

Newly selected Delegates to the 2017 conference will join second year Delegates who have successfully participated in a Japan Conference. Additional details about participation in USJLP conferences are outlined in the conference guidelines for Delegates.

Please note that the 2017-2018 application cycle closed on January 9, 2017. The next cycle for potential candidates to the 2018-2019 conferences will commence in early fall, 2017.

Upcoming Conference: Japan 2017

The eighteenth annual USJLP conference will be held in Kyoto and Tokyo from July 23-30, 2017.

Upcoming Conference: Seattle 2018

The nineteenth annual USJLP conference is scheduled to be held in Seattle, WA from Saturday, July 28 - Saturday, August 4, 2018 (dates subject to change).